Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does a Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant in the United States is $104,856 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

However, a Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $128,083
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $95,797 to $117,014
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $87,549

Key Factors That Influence Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant Salaries

A Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $101,881
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $102,557
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $105,763
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $110,844
  • Expert (over 8 years): $111,207
Levels Salary
Entry Level Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant$101,881
Intermediate Level Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant$102,557
Senior Level Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant$105,763
Specialist Level Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant$110,844
Expert Level Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant$111,207

Top Paying Cities for Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $132,255
  • San Francisco: $130,807
  • Oakland: $128,050

What Skills Can Increase a Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 5.51% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Nursing Practice (Mentioned in 2.87% Job Postings): Nursing practice may be work experience that is direct and/or indirect patient care in clinical practice, nursing administration, education, research, or consultation in the specialty represented by the credential.
  • Patient Safety (Mentioned in 1.54% Job Postings): Patient safety is a discipline and responsibility that emphasizes safety in health care through the prevention, reduction, reporting, and analysis of medical error that often leads to adverse effects. The frequency and magnitude of avoidable adverse events experienced by patients was not well known until the 1990s, when multiple countries reported staggering numbers of patients harmed and killed by medical errors. Recognizing that healthcare errors impact 1 in every 10 patients around the world, the World Health Organization calls patient safety an endemic concern. Indeed, patient safety has emerged as a distinct healthcare discipline supported by an immature yet developing scientific framework. There is a significant transdisciplinary body of theoretical and research literature that informs the science of patient safety. At the same time, efforts are being made to anchor patient safety more firmly in medical education. The resulting patient safety knowledge continually informs improvement efforts such as: applying lessons learned from business and industry, adopting innovative technologies, educating providers and consumers, enhancing error reporting systems, and developing new economic incentives.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 5.51%
Nursing Practice 2.87%
Patient Safety 1.54%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant's salary.

  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Time Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Confidentiality: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Written Communication $113,244
8%
Time Management $112,196
7%
Confidentiality $109,050
4%

Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $111,223. While startup companies pay approximate $94,778.

Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $94,778
Growth Stage 51~500 $100,051
Established 501~5000 $107,586
Enterprise 5000+ $111,223

Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$125,827$60.020%

How Education impacts an Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant with a Bachelor's Degree is between $105,301 and $111,370.

Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 8.9%
High School 8.9%
Associates 44.3%
Bachelors 40.5%
Masters 5.1%
Doctorate 1.3%

Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$95,797
Average $104,856/year
$117,014
$7,983
Average $8,738/month
$9,751
$1,842
Average $2,016/week
$2,250
$46
Average $50/hour
$56
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $117,014 $9,751 $2,250 $56
Average $104,856 $8,738 $2,016 $50
25th Percentile $95,797 $7,983 $1,842 $46

Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Maternity Services Director $161,998 54%
Head of Intensive Care Unit $154,113 47%
Staff Nurse - RN I $73,601 -30%
Transplant Nurse Coordinator $110,094 5%

Most common benefits for Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant

1. Where can a Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant earn the most?

A Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant is $132,255.

2. What is the highest pay for Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant?

The highest pay for Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant is $128,083.

3. What is the lowest pay for Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant?

The lowest pay for Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant is $87,549.

4. What are the responsibilities of Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant?

Provides direct patient care to surgical patients. Directly assists the surgeon during surgical procedures by assisting with incisions, tissue retraction, suturing, and other surgical tasks. Administers medications and IV treatments, as necessary. Applies dressings or drains surgical sites. Participates in discharge planning. Counsels patients and caregivers on appropriate post-operative care. Requires a bachelor's degree in nursing. Requires Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR). Requires Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA). Typically reports to a manager. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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